Conviction means serving time in Scottish jail
If either of the Libyans is convicted of mass murder, they must serve their life term in a Scottish prison.
The decision was made during the lengthy negotiations which preceded the trial, so there is no question of them being handed over to any other country.
Libya wanted the men to serve any sentence in their homeland, but the British government insisted that this issue was non-negotiable.
Scottish Prison Service managers cite security reasons in refusing to be drawn on which establishment would house the men
However, it is understood they will serve any jail term at tough Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow - known locally as Bar-L.
The all-male Victorian prison, built in the late 19th century, houses 868 inmates of all categories.
It was home to Everton footballer Duncan Ferguson for 44 days in April 1994 after the former Rangers player received a three-month sentence for head-butting John McStay in a Rangers-Raith Rovers match at Ibrox.
Barlinnie, which is described as a ‘‘local prison’’, serves courts in the west of Scotland, holding convicted prisoners as well as those being held in custody on remand.
It does not generally hold lifers, but rather caters for prisoners serving less than four years for the duration of their sentence, although it has the facilities to hold those serving longer terms.
It is unclear where the Libyans would be held at Barlinnie as a unit which was originally expected to house them and was nicknamed Gaddafi Cafe no longer exists.
It was within the prison hospital but is now part of a fully functioning hospital ward.
If convicted, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah are likely to be held in a maximum security area and would be segregated from other prisoners.
Meanwhile, a long-term role for the United Nations to monitor their welfare in the prison has been agreed.
Since they were handed over for trial in April 1999, the two Libyans have been held on remand at a specially constructed prison within the grounds of Camp Zeist, Holland, where the trial took place.
They have a living area where there is a television showing Arabic channels, and an exercise bike.
The two men spent much of their time receiving visits from approved visitors such as relatives and their legal teams, and were also able to exercise in the fresh air.
Their religious requirements, including observation of religious practices, were respected, as were their dietary requirements it is reported that a special chef was flown from Libya to prepare their meals.
Like all those held on remand, the men do not have to work but this will change if they are convicted.
By law, all Scottish prisoners work five days a week and it is unlikely the Libyans will be treated differently.
Whatever today’s verdict, however, a move to Barlinnie is not imminent for the two men.
If either receives a guilty verdict, an appeal against conviction is expected to be lodged immediately.
An appeal would be heard before five Scottish judges and is likely to take place around six months after the end of the trial.
It is expected to be heard at Camp Zeist, meaning that the Libyans would remain in the special prison there until the appeal was complete.
Meanwhile, if the men are acquitted they will be free to leave Holland and return to Libya immediately.
There is no question of them being extradited to the United States or any other country to face other Lockerbie-related charges.
